Sludge Gravity Thickening Process
October.27,2025
Sludge Thickener Working Process
Gravity thickening is essentially a sedimentation process. Gravity thickening tanks can be categorized by their operating mode as either continuous or intermittent. Continuous thickening tanks are primarily used in large and medium-sized sewage treatment plants, while intermittent thickening tanks are primarily used in small sewage treatment plants or industrial enterprises.
Intermittent thickening tanks have intermittent sludge inflow and outflow, so multiple supernatant discharge pipes should be installed at different heights within the thickening tank. Intermittent thickening tanks are more complex to operate and manage, and require a larger tank volume per unit of sludge treated than continuous thickening tanks.
Continuous gravity thickening tanks have continuous sludge inflow and outflow, and sludge discharge can be continuous or intermittent. Larger tanks are typically designed with radial flow thickening tanks, while smaller tanks are typically designed with vertical flow thickening tanks. Vertical flow thickening tanks use gravity for sludge discharge, while radial flow thickening tanks often use mechanical sludge scrapers for sludge removal.
